One of the largest private collections of military vehicles in
the UK is being auctioned by plant and machinery auctioneers Sanderson
Weatherall.

The collection of about 150 wheeled and tracked military vehicles is
being sold by the Manchester office of Sanderson Weatherall on behalf
of Lancashire property developer Brian Boys who has decided to reduce
his collection to a few favourite vehicles.

The collection as a whole is valued at in excess of £1m and individual
lots are expected to attract bids of up to and in excess of £100,000.

Among the tracked and wheeled vehicles going under the hammer are a rare
World War Two Sexton Self Propelled Artillery Vehicle, a Russian T55 tank,
a US M47 Patton tank, two Chieftain Main Battle Tanks with bridgelayers,
six GKN FV432 armoured personnel carriers, a Daimler Ferret MK4 Big Wheel
Scout Car and three Fox Light Armoured Cars.

There is also a wide range of guns, motorcycles, personnel and weapons
carriers, jeeps and cross country vehicles including several US Willys
jeeps, wheeled tugs, trucks and wagons and utility vehicles such as a
Ford Model T Fire Engine thought to have been owned by star of the silent
screen Charlie Chaplin.

Mr Boys, the chairman of property developer and lettings specialist B&E
Boys Ltd, said his interest in military vehicles started as a boy with
Dinky Toys and continued during and after two years in the Army with the
Royal Military Police between 1958 and 1960.

He regularly attends military fairs and amassed his collection from such
events and other private collectors worldwide.

Brian’s military vehicles have been available for hire and have
become stars of the big screen – he sold two half-tracked vehicles
that appeared in Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan.

He said: “I’ve been collecting these vehicles from around
the world for more than 25 years. It’s a drug and a disease but
it’s given me the opportunity to make lots of friends worldwide
and I shall miss that camaraderie.”

The live onsite and webcast auction is being staged from 1pm on Wednesday,
30th June at St Mary’s Chambers Conference and Function Centre,
Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall, Rossendale, Lancs.

Viewings will be staged on the morning of the auction and also from 9am
to 4pm on Monday, 28th June and Tuesday, 29th June.

Stephen Jepson, auction manager from the Manchester office of Sanderson
Weatherall, said: “This is one of the largest private collections
of such vehicles in the whole of the UK and its sale represents a fantastic
opportunity for people to invest in the military heritage of this and
other nations.

“Brian is one of the UK’s leading authorities on military
vehicles and has assembled his collection lovingly over many years. He
has decided to sell because he is retiring from collecting such equipment
and we feel privileged to be involved with the sale of such a fantastic
range of military equipment.”

Further auctions of vehicle spares and Army surplus and militaria and
memorabilia amassed by Brian are also being staged by the Manchester office
of Sanderson Weatherall.